The Local Government Association (LGA) today (May 16) has urged the Government to extend proposed smoking and vaping bans to cover all children's playgrounds to protect children from harmful tobacco and vape exposure.
In its response to the Government’s consultation, the LGA, on behalf of English councils, said it supports plans to expand smokefree, heated-tobacco free and vape-free outdoor spaces in children’s playgrounds, health and social care, and education settings across England.
However, it warned the proposals exclude publicly accessible playgrounds that are not managed by local authorities, creating gaps in protection that could expose children to smoking and vaping.
There are a growing number of play areas constructed as part of new housing developments, not formally adopted by councils, as well as those in national parks, country parks, amusement parks, and privately owned leisure settings – all outside of local authority control.
Smoking is the single largest cause of preventable death and disease, and reducing exposure to second-hand smoke, particularly for children and for patients in health and care settings, will deliver long-term population health gains.
The LGA is also calling for:
- mandatory minimum standards for signage
- guidance on the siting of designated smoking and vaping areas to minimise concentrated exposure at entrances and boundaries
- an extension of the vaping exemption to include all commissioned smoking cessation services
- full New Burdens Funding to cover local authority enforcement, advisory work and street cleaning costs
Cllr Dr Wendy Taylor MBE, Chair of the LGA's Health and Wellbeing Committee, said: “No child should be exposed to second-hand smoke or vapour clouds in public spaces designed for their health, education, and play. Reducing the visibility of smoking vaping is an important step in our approach to prevention.
"Many councils are already introducing smoke and vape-free spaces, particularly play spaces, sports sidelines and school gates. National consistency across settings would help protect children, health and care patients, and non-users from harmful exposure.
“Councils must be adequately funded to implement and enforce these measures. We look forward to working with Government to shape practical, workable measures that keep our public spaces healthy for everyone.”